PEACE VILLAGE 2026
THURSDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2026 AT PALAZZO DEI CONGRESSI IN LUGANO
THE "PEACE VILLAGE" IS BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND: FOR ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, HIGH SCHOOLS AND VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS
(Registration deadline: 11.11.2026 at the following email: info@maffeisnetwork.ch)
Cost p.p. CHF 10:00 / including lunch
Please note: Due to limited places please register as soon as possible!
PEACE, NONVIOLENCE, ENVIRONMENT: WE ARE AMBASSADORS TODAY!
On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of our association and within the 14th edition of the “World Forum for Peace”, we are happy to announce the return of the “Village of Peace”. From 21 November to 10 December 2026, the Lugano area will be transformed into an active laboratory of hope and action. Nonviolence and the Environment will be the beating heart of the initiative, with the aim of training future Ambassadors of Peace today. In a world that challenges us every day, we believe that education in values is the only true compass. We want to give voice and tools to the citizens of tomorrow, because peace is not just a desire, but a skill to be cultivated from the earliest years. The Village will be a vibrant space where children will be able to get involved with small gestures with a great impact. The 11 scheduled Workshops, carried out in collaboration with associations and professionals in the sector, will transform the major themes into concrete experiences. Here, the participants’ ideas, reflections and dreams will take shape, becoming actions for the future.
The day’s program will begin at 9:20 am with the official inauguration in the presence of choirs and renowned guests. Two rounds of Workshops will follow during the day: from 10:15 to 12:15 and from 13:30 to 16:00. From 12:15 to 13:30 there will be a shared lunch, organized by our Association.
The workshops will last a minimum of 30-40 minutes, after which there will be the rotation of the classes in the new workstations, which will be assigned by our Association, with particular attention also to the requests of the schools that will enroll. All workshops will be adapted to the various school realities (e.g. SE, MS, high schools, vocational schools).
We would like to thank the various associations and professionals who have joined us for their valuable collaboration. The booths will be managed by: the Associazione Culture Ticino Network, coordinated by A. Margherita Maffeis-Natale; the Rugby Lugano sports club, coordinated by Diego Azzolini; the Association for Sarva Seva Farms (ASSEFA), led by Katharina Kindler and supported by Pietro Tafaro; Mondo senza Guerre e senza Violenza (MSGV), led by Tiziana Volta and Dino Mancarella (educationalist and adult educator); the Telefono S.O.S. Infanzia Association, led by Tina Mantovani in collaboration with Lidia Canonico (President of the La Sorgente Association), Dr. Myriam Caranzano (former director of the ASPI Foundation), secretary Gioacchino Lo Nardo, and Andreina Lo Nardo (retired kindergarten teacher); Amici Ticino per il Burundi (AMTIBU), curated by Marco Barzaghini; Suzanne Palermo (illustrator and children’s author) and Pinuccia Soffientini (music therapist); Centro di Cultura Italia Asia, curated by President Susanna Marino; the Naturinonda project, curated by Alessandra Melucci; Associazione Mezanmi, curated by Sebastiano and Maria Laura Pron; and finally, artist Mario Brunner, who will curate the exhibition “The Cycle: Breaking the Cycle of Violence.”
In conclusion, this special day and evening offer a unique opportunity to raise awareness across all generations and at all levels about these important issues, which promote a message of hope and commitment to a better future.
Today more than ever, we feel the urgent need for a deep and informed education. We therefore invite all schools to seize this opportunity and sign up for a special day designed to lay the groundwork for a concrete investment in the citizens of tomorrow and, together, reap the rewards of a better future.
Note: The day’s program is currently being finalized and will be updated in the coming weeks.
PROGRAM: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2026
FROM 8:45 AM: Welcome reception for schools at the Palazzo dei Congressi
9:20 AM to 10:05 AM: Official opening of the 14th edition of the “World Forum for Peace” and the “Peace Village,” featuring school choirs. Welcome remarks by our president, A. Margherita Maffeis-Natale, local officials, and distinguished guests.
10:15 AM–12:15 PM: First round of workshops
12:15 PM–1:30 PM: Group lunch
1:30 PM–4:00 PM: Second round of workshops
The Culture Ticino Network Association is pleased to present the following workshops as part of the “Peace Village”:
Workshop 1
“WE ARE AMBASSADORS TODAY: TOGETHER FOR A PEACEFUL, HUMANE, AND ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE WORLD.”
Curated by A. Margherita Maffeis-Natale, President and Founder of the Culture Ticino Network Association, and Consul a.h. of the Philippines in Ticino
On the occasion of the 11th anniversary of the “Village for Peace,” following a brief introduction to our Association’s activities, the station will transform into a dynamic and interactive workshop. Young people and children will be the true protagonists, embarking on a personal journey to discover what it means, today, to be a true ambassador of peace.
Workshop 2
“CONTACT SPORTS OR VIOLENCE? THE DIFFERENCES AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE WORLD”
Led by Diego Azzolini, Head of Community Relations for the Rugby Lugano sports club
The workshop explores how rugby and contact sports use strength as a vehicle for respect and loyalty. We will examine the historical role of rugby as a tool for unification during the apartheid era, and through videos and discussions, we will discover how this sport contributes to the global peace movement.
Workshop 3
“SEEDS OF LIGHT: PATHS TO PEACE AND COMMUNITY”
Led by Katharina Kindler (theologian and Reformed pastor), assisted by Pietro Tafaro, for ASSEFA
Through videos and stories, participants will learn about ASSEFA’s work in India, an organization inspired by Gandhi’s philosophy. The workshop invites participants to reflect on nonviolence and peace not as abstract concepts, but as daily practices consisting of conscious choices, authentic relationships, and care for others.
Workshop 4
“THE ROOTS OF NONVIOLENCE. UNITING NATURE, CONSCIENCE, AND COMMUNITY”
Led by Tiziana Volta (MSGV Global Coordinator) and Dino Mancarella (educator and andragogist)
Nature and nonviolence are closely connected: in this workshop, the tree becomes a metaphor for peace. If the canopy is visible peace, the roots represent the invisible structure that allows it to grow. The goal is to inspire participants to recognize themselves as ambassadors of peace, starting with their daily choices within their own life context.
Workshop 5
THE CULTURE OF PEACE: “FOR A MORE JUST AND PEACEFUL WORLD”
Curated by Tina Mantovani, Telefono S.O.S. Infanzia Association – in collaboration with Lidia Canonico (President of the La Sorgente Association), Dr. Myriam Caranzano (Former Director of the ASPI Foundation), Secretary Gioacchino Lo Nardo, and Andreina Lo Nardo, a retired preschool teacher
This workshop will take you to the heart of Telefono S.O.S. Infanzia, where for over thirty years the protection of minors has translated into concrete actions: from the sensitive handling of requests for help to the promotion of children’s rights. We will explore the social impact of the Association’s initiatives, such as free piano lessons to nurture talent and the solidarity award for frontline organizations. A journey through prevention, courage, and listening that will conclude with an open space for dialogue and questions.
Workshop 6
“YOUTH AND PEACE IN BURUNDI”
Organized by Marco Barzaghini, Amici Ticino per il Burundi (AMTIBU)
The workshop focuses on the presentation of the book “In Burundi si vive” and the project “La Musica è Unione,” which offer young people in Burundi opportunities for growth through education and music, promoting social cohesion and inclusion. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the AMTIBU Association and can actively contribute by creating a community poster decorated with their handprints.
Workshop 7
“FRIENDS FOR PEACE”
Curated by Suzanne Palermo (children’s book illustrator and author) with musical collaboration by Pinuccia Soffientini (music therapist)
A journey to discover friendship: this workshop uses stories and tales to explore one of life’s most precious values. Together, we will reflect on what it truly means to be a good friend, discovering that every deep bond stems from our ability to connect with our values and nurture our inner light.
Workshop 8
“HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI: A HUMAN TRAGEDY THAT MUST NEVER BE REPEATED”
Curated by Susanna Marino, President of the Italy-Asia Cultural Center
This workshop invites participants to reflect on the historical and human significance of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Through images, stories, and audiovisual materials, participants will be guided on a journey of remembrance that gives voice to the hibakusha, the survivors of the atomic bombs. Activities will be tailored to the participants’ ages.
Workshop 9
“WE ARE ALL ONE EARTH”
Curated by Alessandra Melucci, Naturinonda
Alessandra Melucci focuses on environmental protection and biodiversity, exploring the connection between nature, the psyche, and human identity. Through games and reflections, this workshop aims to introduce the concept of the Earth Community as a catalyst for transcending boundaries and broadening our species’ identity horizons in relation to other species and the planet.
Workshop 10
“EDUCATING TODAY’S CHILDREN TO BUILD TOMORROW’S HAITI. EDUCATION AS A TOOL FOR TRANSFORMING CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN THE NIPPES INTO AMBASSADORS OF PEACE.”
Curated by Sebastiano and Maria Laura Pron, Mezanmi Association Committee, Rivera
In a Haiti marked by a severe multidimensional crisis, the fundamental rights of children and young people are being severely tested. The workshop illustrates this reality through firsthand accounts and photographs, inviting participants to respond with a concrete gesture: writing a message of solidarity for schools in the Nippes region.
Workshop 11
ART EXHIBITION “THE CYCLE: BREAKING THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE”
Curated by Culture Ticino Network Association and Swiss-Filipino artist Mario Brunner
The art exhibition “The Cycle: Breaking the Cycle of Violence,” created to mark the 15th anniversary of the Culture Ticino Network Association, focuses on the theme of nonviolence and aims to raise awareness of the impact that trauma and loss can have on a child, conveying these values from an intergenerational perspective. The exhibition is presented as a visual narrative divided into twelve parts. There will be presentations to highlight the importance of nonviolence.
Form workshop 11
